Thank you all so much, you seemed to like my attempt at fluff! Sorry about the awful Khanum I thought where I hadn't mentioned her in while, I'd bring her back with a vengeance.

But wow, you are all so kind, the song in this is from Phantom by Yeaston and Kopit, I've used a lot of their songs, although this one is sung by Christine and her Raoul, I felt it really went well for our Erik and Christine, I hope you like it :D that version of Phantom is worth a watch, and can be found on Youtube!

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to you all, but mainly to Christine Stein, who has shown me such kindness over the last few weeks, I feel like I have my own Angel! I hope she likes this...

*once again, no ownership of anything recognisable to me*

Nadir POV-Chapter 36

I sat beside my son holding his hand, inside I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from me, I knew this was due to what Christine had shown me this morning. I knew it might not even work, but the fact there was a hope now, a slight glimmer of hope in a situation that I had been told was completely hopeless, but now there was a small light in the vision of Christine. I knew Erik had been the one to find the medical procedure that would hopefully save my son, but Christine, little Christine would be the one to supply him with the blood, making it all possible. I was amazed by her, she had seemed so young, so naive at the start, but now she was strong, so strong, and her kind nature shone through the darkness that threatened to swallow my son wholly. She really was a little angel, Erik had been right all along. I was not sure what Erik had left in her room but when she had left the house, she had been wearing a smile so wide it was positively ripping at the seams of her face. I sighed, it was probably another beautiful gift, Christine would only see the gift as just that a gift, one of kindness, from her tutor, that she obviously adored, however she would not see the love, the adoration, the sheer passion, that Erik put into every little gift he gave to Christine. From the rose, to the letters, all of them as full of love as the next. I knew Erik loved her more than anything in the world, it seemed her little light had lit up his dark world, but I was not sure if her light could reach his heart, she was only young after all, very young, and he was riddled with a past so horrific, sliced wrists, screaming dreams, and savage self harming were all a result of the ever lingering presence that was his past, the torments which appeared to never want to leave him. Perhaps wanting Christine to love him was cruel of me, but still I wished she would, her heart was so big, and she obviously adored him but who knew.

My son stirred, his breathing was normal now, Erik had given him a dose of medicine, but his face was still covered in goo, and every time I had given him water it had quickly come back out of him, leaving his body very dehydrated and his skin almost hanging. But he was alive and for now, that was all that mattered.

I tightened my hand around his as he wriggled, opening, well peeling his eyes open with a sickening squelch. He panicked slightly, I squeezed his hand.

'Amir, Baba's here.' I smiled, wiping the yellow from his eyes, clearing his vision for him, though his pupils faced each other.

'Baba.' He smiled tiredly, as if he had been running for days.

'Yes Amir, I'm here, and guess what?' I was desperate to tell him. He looked at me confused.

'Erik has found a way to help you. He will take away the pain.' I smiled at him, and he pulled up his lips.

'He will use his magic.' Amir smiled.

I nodded, I felt my stomach tighten though, here was my boy being taken into that world which only Erik could create, the one of magic, of beauty, a place I could not understand, I wanted to beat myself how incredibly foolish I was to feel jealous at such a time. But it was the part I had to play, I was both Amir's mother and father, I had played those roles, since the boy had came into the world, but still he remained obsessed with Erik.

'May I go down stairs?' Amir whispered.

I nodded, lifting him gently into my arms, his chest was bare, and his hair was messy. I took him down stairs carefully in my arms, his weight next to nothing, I cherished holding him, as if he was the little baby I had held and wept over due to my dead wife. He was so beautiful, I laid him down gently on the sofa.

'Thank you Baba.' His voice was still a whisper.

'You're welcome Amir. Do you want anything my child?' I asked, but before he could answer the door opened and in walked Erik, his posture was of that usual perfection, dead straight, he had to bend slightly in order not to hit his head on the top of the door, swinging his black cloak of his shoulders, he looked every inch impressive. But there was something strange about him, not that cold air, but something different. He seemed warm, and dazed. I looked at him, but he ignored me, and knelt beside Amir, who smiled in delight.

'Erik!' he wheezed, but smiling and happy.

'Amir, how are you feeling?' he said taking the boys hand into his giant one, he was twitching I noticed, but he didn't flinch away. Which surprised me, human contact and Erik never usually mixed. Amir's smiled even wider at Erik's contact.

'Baba says you're going to make me better.' Amir grinned through his coughs. I watched as Erik shuffled back slightly, looking form Amir to me curiously, that previous warmth seemed to have disappeared. Amir was still smiling, I saw the mask lift weakly, showing me Erik was smiling, then he rose, towering over me.

'Amir I'm just going to talk to your Baba, will you be okay for one moment?' he said in that beautiful voice, that although asked a question was a definite command, Amir nodded. Erik nodded back, and then looked at me, I followed him confused out the door.

Once on the other side, Erik began running his long fingers through his perfectly slicked back wig.

'Nadir I-' he began.

But I interrupted, it finally hit me, although over the months I wondered why on earth I had taken this troubled soul into my life, but now the trouble, the tears, the hate, the anger, the strangeness of it all seemed worthwhile, this man although a complete outcast was going to help my son. I knew Erik's past was horrific, that he had done many terrible things, but he was a young man, a boy compared to me, a boy who had been tortured all his life, yes he had his outburst of cruelty, but now he was showing me kindness, he was going to try and help my son.

'My boy, how can I repay you?' I said breathlessly.

'Nadir?' he questioned.

'Christine told me.' I smiled. Though he looked confused. 'She told me all about the procedure, the blood transfusion, how you can save Amir, well even if you don't save him, give him a little more time, she told me Erik, thank you so much. I don't know how to replay you.' I was nearly crying, this man, this supposed freak, was helping me, I didn't know how I would ever repay him.

But I looked up into his miss matched eyes, and saw them slightly cloudy.

'Christine wishes to do it?' he said quietly.

'Yes.' I was wondering why his voice was laced in doubt.

'She said that?' he asked again. I nodded, worried now.

'What is wrong Erik?' I asked almost in a whisper. Afraid my hopes would be ripped down.

'Nadir, I do not pretend it is not a dangerous procedure, I cannot guarantee anything.' He said quietly.

'Erik, what does that mean?' I said stiffly.

'Nadir, I will do all I can, but on one condition, you must promise me you will stick to it.' He said in a strange voice, his eyes unblinking.

'Anything.' I was happy to do anything for my boy, for even another three months with him, even another three weeks, just to have him with enough strength to show him his mother's grave.

'You must let me stop the procedure at any time. If I feel either Christine's or Amir's lives are at risk, then I shall stop it, no matter what. You must promise me that.' He said quietly, looking away from my eyes.

This hit me like a tonne of bricks, a lump formed in my mouth. This brought me down to reality. I let this spin around my head, giving Erik this power would mean I could lose my son; I knew Erik would not risk Christine for anything. But what choice did I have?

'Yes.' I whispered back, swallowing the lump.

Erik did something very strange then, he reached out one skeletal hand, the bone white hand, and put it gently to my shoulder, I looked up at him, his eyes were twitching, as if he was receiving a walloping.

'I will do my best, trust me.'

I looked up into his eyes, and nodded, yes I would have to trust this man. I nodded back to him, for a moment I marvelled at his touch, that was feather light on my shoulder, he quickly with drew his hand, and we both went to enter the room where my son was.

Amir beamed at Erik, who turned to me.

'You can take Purdy, go for a ride Nadir, you need it my friend, take your mind of things I will look after Amir for you.' He said gently.

I thought about this for a second, then agreed to it, I had not been out the house in nearly a week. I smiled, pushing all jealousy aside as Erik strode before Amir, giving him a bow, and then performing magic, which was so secret Amir had to swear to Erik in delight, that he would tell no one. I smiled at my sons laughs, and left the house.

I wasn't sure how to feel being outside once again, I had the urge to quickly go back in and embrace my son, but Purdy, Erik's great horse stood before the house as if summoned by his magic, she pound her front hooves menacingly at me, I gulped, and scrambled onto her back. I was terrified, she was much taller than any of the Persian horses, huge, her long white grey mane was like silver, she jittered, and I felt the power of every one of her muscles. I was confused about the no saddle or bridle, but saw a beautiful plait in her mane, clinging onto it, she galloped through the streets.

I had to cling for dear life, and my control was questionable, I was around five feet six tall, where Erik was at least six feet four, so my lack of legs no doubt confused the beautiful mare. But the sensation of galloping at this terrifying pace was amazing, the world was a blur, I thought of nothing but the wind on my face and the sand flying up to meet my feet, the beat of Purdy's hooves like a musical rhythm, which soothed my mind, making me numb to the cruelties which for so long had possessed me it seemed.

Purdy slowed as we neared the palace, not bothering to put effort in for me a mere stranger, I knew she would have galloped to the ends of the Earth for Erik. Persia had not changed over the week I had been in my home, still that air of fear filled every street, winding down it like a giant suffocating presence, that none could see, but all could feel. Purdy strode through, her head held high, the streets were deserted, and the banners which had greeted the Khanum all those weeks ago still flew in the air, in the slight breeze, they were a warning to the public, a sign that danger was still here, that the Khanum still prowled. I scrambled down Purdy's shining back, she ignored me when I stroked her neck in thanks, I could have sworn she rolled her eyes at me in the up most disgust.

I walked towards the palace, really not sure why I had come here, I guess it was just habit now, to come to this poor place, the building gave me that cry for help that it always did from behind the jewels beauty whined to be free. Once in the palace, I realised I had come at around dinner time, the servants rushed here and there, many of them stopping to ask how I was, and how Amir was, wishing me their love and prayers, I was touched, people complained of the Persians, calling us barbaric, but as a whole we were a nation of kind hearted people, people who took pride in their love for one another, the Shah of course was blind to this, and there was no love for him from anyone, though he believed there was, in general the Shah and Khanum were not viewed as Persians, they were not seen as even people, but beasts.

I walked through the palace, slowly and absent minded, as if I was a tourist here, or a visitor, I walked around the large hall, smiling at people who asked of me and my son. At a glance the palace might have been regarded as beautiful, but the more you looked the more you realised the beauty was hidden by a giant mask, one of rubies, pearls, paintings, and gold. This mask reminded me of someone and you may consider it selfish, but I pushed that person to the back of my mind. I just wanted to regard paintings, and watch my fellow workers, rather than think too much.

I walked idly until I reached the outside court yard, where the Khanum was entertained, the square of sand, I walked outside, and had to stop and cover my eyes. My jaw dropped. It was no longer a sand pit, and balcony, now it was a strange mechanism, it was tall in height, it reached up to the edge of the balcony, and from I could see the roof was meshed in some sort of metal, I walked around the edge, wondering what the hell it was, it was in a strange hexagon shape, a few of the rectangle pieces were covered in black doors, large and menacing, with locks to the outside, and bars on the windows, but then there was a break in the black, and before me was the strange shell of a room I had ever seen.

The walls in it were glass, they reached the mesh roof, but on closer inspection I realised it was not glass, but mirrors, all around, I spun a circle, and realised the mirrors were not all the same, there were four of them and they all differed, the first was normal, my reflection, showed me that of an aging man, one who had not slept in many nights, and worried through many days, it made me gulp, my middle was slightly round, and my chin covered in stubble, my hair though deep brown was now flecked with grey, it hit me I was no longer the young chief of police.

I turned to the next mirror, it was strange, the reflection made me jump back, it showed me two of me, two of the greying, fattening me. I gulped harder, turning to the next, this mirror was even worse, there was a warp in the mirror itself, its middle was almost bent, making my reflection tiny, and short. It might of been laughable, but I found it disgusting, and felt so helplessly small, I started to think of how meaningless my life was, my reflection as showing me how little my role in life was, how small I was, how pathetic, I was panting now.

I spun to the last mirror, and fell to my knees, my mind unable to take it any longer, the final mirror was shattered, my reflection was completely distorted. Hundreds of the little shard showed my face in different lights, some normal, others high lightening my tiredness, the bags under my eyes, the grey in my hair and the slight podge around my face. Other pieces were large and cruel, they showed my body as if it was shattered itself, I felt my mind trying to comprehend all these thing at once, the significance of them all, my changing appearance, my age, my meaninglessness, my shattered hopes and dreams, all of them spun around my mind. I clutched my head my eyes shutting, I staggered out, falling to the concrete on my knees.

I sat shaking on the floor, what the hell had I just experienced? I wiped my eyes, taking deep breaths, clearing my mind. What on earth was this strange concoction, I got up hastily, hating the feel of its huge and black presence, I dread to think what was behind the locked doors, if that was one of them that was not locked, then I did not wish to know.

I left the courtyard quickly, grateful to be back inside, I was still panting, I leant up against the wall for a moment, trying to regain my breath. What was that thing? It was like nothing I had seen before, for a moment I could have sworn I had gone mad. But then it hit me, maybe the designers aim had been to do that, to mess with a person's mind. I closed my eyes, and shook my head, I knew what it was, it was Erik's torture chambers.

I didn't know how to regard this, how to take this in, I was startled at my new found discovery, startled and confused, how was it possible that a man who was currently comforting my son, making him smile, making him laugh, able to build such a monstourous building? I didn't know. I walked out the palace feeling less happy, a strange heavy emptiness within me. I knew the reason Erik could build such a thing was due to his previous experiences, I only knew a mere smidge of it and was repulsed, I had witnessed the conditions he had lived in with the gypsies, the cage with the chains, with the blood on the floor, with the four inches of grime. I had heard him scream, and seen him drag himself away as blood had seeped from his trousers, telling me the true horrors of this boy's life. Sickening horrors, I had learnt of Julian de Portly, the man who I had pictured as being beautiful, very handsome and every inch the French gentleman, the man who had sold Erik to the gypsies in order to marry the boy's mother. The mother, who I heard Erik call for in the night, the one he begged to forgive his ugliness, the mother who had been the one to start it all no doubt, the one, who though I had never met her, made a huge impact on Erik, and it was clear to see her influence even know when he was a young man.

I sighed, it had been mirrors in the room I had entered the one that had sent me nearly mad. That thought made me feel as though I had been kicked in the gut. I had seen the mess in Erik's 'lair' the shattered mirror, with the tiny hand print of blood on it, the child hand print, I had been disgusted when I had first seen this, but I had realised that tiny brown hand print was Erik's and he explained to me, that mirror, the one in shatters, was the one he first gazed at, the one that showed him reality. It seemed fitting now, that Erik who had been tortured all his life by mirrors, would now use them to do his bidding.

I shook my head, trying to forget what I had seen, trying to think only of the young man who was going to help my son, who was comforting him now, the man who over the last few months showed me he was a creature of immense emotion. Emotion so strong and different that they were hard to comprehend, but he could fly from a vicious rage, threatening to kill me, to rocking my son and weeping.

I scrambled onto Purdy's back, who gave an almighty sigh, as if I was the biggest burden in the world, I gave her a smile and rubbed her neck, as she set off at that terrifying speed which numbed my mind, and sent the world into a strange blur. But then as I realised were in the town now, she ground to a halt, so sudden I slid up to her silver ears, raising her head she gave a trumpeting neigh to the white horse which I now noticed was in front, I looked and noticed it was a small girl riding the huge white horse. Her cloak of navy was covering its behind. I realised it was Christine.

Without even asking, Purdy trotted to the horse, she neighed again, but Christine did not turn.

'Christine!' I called, but still she did not turn. Purdy pulled beside her horse now, the white steed stopped and pricked its ears, Christine turned quickly, and I gasped. Half her face was covered in bruises, her lip swollen, and her left eye slightly closed.

'My god.' I breathed, what had happened? I reached out, as she looked at me, then burst into tears, which danced down her abused face, she bent over in double, and I caught her as she fell, I jumped off Purdy quickly, who to my surprise seemed very concerned over the weeping Christine. I let her cry for a moment, then pushed her up slightly.

'Christine, what happened?' I asked, I was so worried, anyone could of done this to her.

'The-the S-hah.' She wept hopelessly into my shoulder, as she pointed to her face, I could feel her trembling. My stomach went cold, what had he done to her? Was there more to this bruising, I knew there was no point in asking her now, she was beyond distraught.

'Okay Christine, good girl, come with me then, let's get you home.' I held her, lifting her up, and back on the white horses back, who stood still as a statue, Purdy raised her nose to Christine's face. Christine clutched to my hand, her face looked painful.

'Is Erik there?' she whimpered.

'Yes, Erik's there.' I smiled at her, though inside I was beyond worried, her cloak was covering her arms, and her hair, who knew what other damage the Shah had caused.

I pushed Purdy into a gentle trot, and the mare complied, staying beside Christine happily, Christine didn't even look at me, her hands clutching to her horses mane, the beautiful white horse beneath acted as if the sorrow was hers, trotting steadily. I noticed as we went through the town people watched from their balconies, which looked down on us. They seemed to be strangely fascinated by Christine. I rode closer to her, she was silent, I was seriously worried and thankful that we could see my home now, suddenly Christine turned to me.

'He-he told me he'd make me ugly, he hit me and told me he's make me ugly like Erik.' She whispered, her swollen eye looked painful.

I shook my head sadly, the Shah was the most disgusting and cruel man.

'Erik isn't ugly Mr Khan...he's beautiful. Mr Khan I love him.' She whimpered.

My heart stopped, what had she just said.

'Love who?' I asked confused.

'Erik.' She whispered back.

I got off Purdy, looking at Christine in wonder; no surely I was hearing things! She said she loved him! She loved Erik! I couldn't believe it! Maybe the beating the Shah had given her had caused her mind to go fuzzy.

I wasn't sure, I helped her get down of her horse, holding her shaking hand. My mind and heart doing very strange things, I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks on seeing Erik with Amir sat on his shoulders, his head back laughing, then he must of seen Christine, Amir was quickly put to the floor, Christine gave a sob and ran to Erik, falling before him, where he caught her gracefully. She sobbed messily into his chest; I caught Erik's eyes and trembled.

It was evident the pair were in love to catch her no matter where she fell, he would be there. Christine obviously got comfort from her angel, and it was beautiful to see the love they had, and it was almost a relief to see that my predications had been right. I wished to cry with happiness. But Christine was terrified, and crying with fear, whilst Erik had that look in his eye, the one of a man so hopelessly in love, that he was ready to kill the Shah who had beaten his beloved.

And I could not blame him.

XXX

Erik's POV

I carried Christine into the living room sitting her down on the sofa, my whole body shook with rage, with panic, here was my loved one, and she was in pain. Her petite face was beaten down side; purple bruises covered the white perfect skin, her lip slightly swollen, the lips which had kissed my own, the ones that had pronounced her love for me! I could not believe it, she loved me, she had embraced me, sobbed into me, she really did love me. It was almost too over whelming but I felt Christine's hands grip tightly onto me. I flinched, not sure whether in anger for whoever done this, or just by impulse.

'Please don't leave me.' she whimpered, clutching me tightly, her voice was so innocent, as she cried, looking utterly petrified, my heart melted as she gave this little plea.

'I won't my darling.' I soothed her, I sat up in alarm, 'my darling'? Where had that come from, I looked into her azure eyes and dropped my gaze quickly.

'I'm sorry.' I whispered.

'Erik, call me what you like, I love you, please never leave me.' she begged again, sitting up slightly, her cloak of navy around her, I noticed she was shaking all over, wildly now, shock was taking her, as she asked me five more times not to leave her.

'Christine, you're going into shock, taking some breaths, and focus on me.' I watched her breathing become quicker, I began to panic, her hands clutching me so tightly I dared not try and move. Her eyes moved wildly left and right, but then she looked at me, and began to relax.

'That's it my darling, your Erik is here.' I felt so strange comforting her, I was now free to express my love, the love I had for so long kept within me, but I knew to keep it minimal, she was very young, and I was still having a trouble to believe that her love was true. She gave a sob, and flung herself onto me, I twitched wildly, my body telling me to run, but I remained strong. Nadir came into the room, with a very scared looking Amir.

'Can I do anything Erik?' Nadir asked quietly.

'She is going into shock, can you bring her honey tea. Amir knows where the honey is.' I said over Christine, who gave a shriek, I looked at her in confusion, as a fresh wave of tears came from her eyes, she looked up at me, her tiny face bruised.

'Erik, I'm so frightened, don't put me through this, he'll take me I know it, he won't let me go, we'll be parted forever, he won't let me go, if he finds me it won't ever end, and he'll always be there.' She sobbed into me.

I looked at her, as she cried helplessly down my chest, my beautiful Christine now distraught, her face was sore no doubt, and she was beyond scared, for now I reserved my rage, I knew who did this, but for now I needed to help my poor Christine.

'Christine?' I tried to uncover her face as she all but hid under my arm, my body in over drive of being touched so much by another person. She did not listen, but wriggle further into me. I decided to use my voice.

No more talk of darkness,

Forget these wide eyed fears,

I'm here nothing can harm you,

My words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,

Let day light dry your tears,

I'm here beside you,

To guard you and to guide you.

As I sung softly I felt her withdraw from under my arm, and sit up slightly, wiping her tears, her bottom lip still trembling, but she seemed to have her sanity back, though still she shook.

Nadir entered the room, Amir walked in front of him carrying a honey tea, Nadir aided him, as the boy could barely stand. He looked up sadly with his gooey eyes at the crying Christine.

'Erik will make you better Christine, I promise.' The little boy smiled, and kissed her un bruised cheek. Christine gave a weak smile, I took the tea for her and thanked Amir.

'Please Erik, I don't like it here.' She whispered.

'Why is that?' I asked quietly.

'He-he could be here.' She whimpered, her lip wobbling threatening to cry.

'I will take you to my lair, no one knows of it apart from you and I.' I said I knew 'he' was not here, but anything to comfort my Christine, with each of her tears I felt like I was being clawed at, it caused me such pain.

She stood, shaking, clutching to my hand, making me jump. I looked at her, my poor sweet angel, her face was so sore, and bruised, it made me wince, but she was still beautiful. I could not resist it, placing the tea down I picked her up gently, she thanked me, wiping her eyes, as I passed her the tea, beginning our journey down to my domain.

Christine seemed to calm as I walked down the dark stairs, the cool air brushed against us, and she stopped sobbing, and just gave the occasional heart breaking whimper. With each stride I grew in rage, the Shah had done this, but why? I knew the Khanum had threatened Christine, but why had this happened? I didn't understand, or need to. The man would pay. No one hurt Christine. No one.

I placed her down gently on my throne like chair, the hundreds of candles lighting my dark room. I knelt before her.

'Christine, I need you tell me what happened.' I told her gently, she seemed stronger now, less likely to start weeping, she nodded slowly.

'He-he told me, he told me that he knew I loved you, and then he pinned me down, he-he began hitting me, oh Erik he hit me again and again, and started screaming in my face, he told me...' she whimpered, looking away.

I was shaking with rage, my mind slipping in and out of sanity as I wished with every fibre of my being to kill the man who had done this to her.

'What did he tell you my darling, tell Erik.' I said quietly.

'He told me, he would make me ugly, that's why he hit my face, to make me like...well...like you.' She sobbed.

I gasped, and shrank back slightly, not from her, but from what this meant, this was my fault, he had hit her to make her like me hideous, ugly, disgusting. I gulped, this was essentially all my fault.

'I'm so sorry.' Was all I could manage. 'This is all my fault.'

'No, no, no!' she clutched to my hand shifting forward, her cloak moving. 'This is his fault! He is mean and cruel and I hate him!'

I noticed her arms were uncovered now, and I winced at them, the pale skin had not been left un touched, it was bruised, and my stomach turned to led as I noticed the large red hand prints up the white skin. I was sickened. Then something else came to my mind, so foul it made me gag, but I knew the Shah was possible of it.

'Christine, did the Shah do anything else, did he-did he do anything else, I mean not just hit you at all?' I asked awkwardly looking away from her eyes.

'No.' She whispered back, and a small amount of relief washed over me. 'But he did do this.' She pulled down her hood, and I noticed her curls were slightly matted on one side, showing me her hair had been tugged at aggressively, it looked painful.

'I can sort that.' I said without knowing.

'Oh thank you.' Christine smiled, her voice still very small.

I gulped, what had I just said? I was such a fool.

I got up, Christine shot to her feet too.

'Christine I'm just going over there, it's only one room my darling you'll still be able to see me.' I said with a small smile, she nodded biting her sore lip and sitting down shakily.

I hurriedly found a lotion to soothe her bruises, and also a little hairbrush.

'Here, this will help your bruises.' I said passing the lotion, she thanked me and with a shaking hand spilt the majority of it over her before rubbing it into her bruised arms. She came to trouble when she got to her face and winced as she rubbed it in. Tears welling in her eyes.

'It hurts so much.' She whimpered.

'I know darling, here you have a bit-' I found myself reaching forward and about to touch the flesh on her face to rub in the lotion, but I dropped my hand hastily, no, no, no, I would not touch her face, no. I was having a hard time believing her love; to touch her in such a way would be awful, she would flee from me.

'Erik, I only feel safe with you.' She said looking at me.

This statement made me warm inside, that was the first time someone had ever said such a thing, and it felt strange, yet nice. I still held the little hair brush in my hand.

'Do you wish for me to brush your hair?' I asked, Christine gave a nod and a smile, which melted my heart, I placed a pillow in front of my chair, she slipped to the floor, and I sat behind her. I took some breaths, my hands twitching as I put her curls onto my knees, so long had I wished to touch her hair, I was fascinated by it, how it bounced, floated and the beautiful thickness of it, I touched one of the ringlets with my fingers and it popped back into its curl.

I smiled at it, my hands shaking as I held the brush.

'Tell me if I hurt you.' I told her, she nodded.

I sat marvelling at the beauty of her hair, completely absorbed by it, as if it was a puzzle, un knotting piece by piece, letting each curl go free and then watching it bounce back to life, it was surprisingly fascinating. Christine sighed, and there was silence between us, but not one that was uncomfortable, I brushed her hair through one more time, happy with my work. She got up and turned to me, and I noticed the little tears running down her face.

'Erik, I love you, why do people have to be mean, it's love, love is meant to be nice. I will always love you, and they can't do anything about it.' She wiped her tears.

She was just beautiful in every way, and if possible my love for her grew.

'I love you Christine, more than anything.' I said to her quietly, embarrassed by saying this.

She smiled at me.

'Come, I should take you to your bed room.' I smiled, taking her hand in my shaking one.

'No, please, Erik might I stay down here?' she begged, squeezing my hand.

I looked around and shrugged, I would not sleep anyway.

'If you wish.' I said to her, she embraced me quickly.

'How about I sing for you my darling?' I asked, I needed to release some of these emotions, I was frightened of scaring Christine away with my love, I had never loved before and was terrified of drowning us both in it. She nodded eagerly, and sat on the pillow by my feet, her big eyes looking up at me, and her face not letting me forget of the man who had done this to her.

'Just close your eyes my darling and listen to the music.' I told her, gesturing with my hands, she obeyed, and I begun.

Can it have been I who first found you?
Can these be my arms now around you?
Such poetry! Can you be real?
Or are you someone imagined?

Who could ever have dreamed up you?
What kind of mind
Could ever have made that face?
There couldn't be two
In heaven and earth like you
One of a kind, like holding two pair of aces
I was nothing and nowhere till now
But from this moment I'll only go where you go!
I hope he's taking a bow
Whoever knew what to do,
That someone wonderful who once
Dreamed up you.

Oh, Christine, I'm in love with you!
Totally gone, defeated and all askew!
I'm feeling it start
A craziness over you

Lead the way on,
No matter to where, I'll follow!
Love completely adoring and new
Can you believe I fell myself soaring
It's true-I love you!

She smiled up at me, her eyes still closed, and then her soft little voice sung back to me, beautiful and clear.

Who would ever have dreamed of this...
That I'd be here
With someone I'd love to kiss
It's something so pure, it almost approaches bliss!
The kind of gift that comes to so very few...
Oh someone wonderful...must have
Dreamed up you!

I felt my heart and mind soar as she sung to me those beautiful lines, we sat in silence for a moment, then I noticed Christine was asleep, I could resist it no longer, I took her into my arms, I loved holding her, it was such a feeling to hold her, I wrapped her cloak around her sleeping body, her tiny body, much like a child's.

I loved her so much, and was sure that at any moment I's awaken and find this a strange dream, I'd be back chained in my cage of foulness with the gypsies. But now I was with Christine, her body in my arms, and she dare I say it loved me! She did and I was beginning to believe her.

I looked at her face, the one that was now blemished by a cruel man's hate. Anger rose within me so hot, never had I felt like this before, I had to the urge to kill, I wished to put the rope around his neck and pull it tight, not the be an angel of mercy, but to be an angel of death, to kill him, and happily watch him die. He was cruel and the fact he had so much as looked at Christine made me want to kill him, I despised the man. I vowed that never again would he set finger on my beautiful Christine.

She moved in her sleep, and I remembered Amir and his illness, I adored Amir, but I was apprehensive about doing this. I felt awful, but I took a small vial from my pocket, and a small shard of mirror, I felt sick at what I was about to do, but I knew I needed to. I raised the little shard and pierced Christine's crease on the inner side of her arm, by her elbow, it was a tiny cut, but I felt awful doing it, I put the vial to it, and only pulled it away once it was full, I topped it, and wiped away Christine's blood on her pale bruised skin.

She nestled into me further, her little bruised face into my chest, her one hand looped loosely in mine. I leant down, and kissed her forehead, she was beautiful, not just on the outside but on the inside. I loved her with all my heart, she was my everything, she accepted me, god, she did what so many could not do, yet here she was tiny Christine, only a child in many people's eyes, holding my hand, in my arms, expressing her love, and accepting me, making me feel dare I say it normal.

I felt slightly sick when I thought of the Shah pinning her down, and hitting her, it repulsed me, angered me, but it also showed me her vulnerability, I knew what the Shah wanted Christine for, I was no fool, for a time I had been able to divert these interests, but now he was un controllable it seemed. This caused hatred to fly through me.

I held Christine close to me, in some wild panic, as if one hundred arms were trying to steal her from me. I was the angel of mercy, I would bring that and love to my darling Christine, but as for the Shah, I planned on being nothing but the angel of death.

I hope you liked it!

Sorry it was so long, so many things happened :/

I really hope you enjoyed it, and found it interesting, please, please, please, let me know what you thought!

I really am trying with grammar and punctuation so I hope you noticed that!

Thank you all so much for your immense support!

*reviewers get Erik to brush their hair*